Inspiration

We’re back in Sedro Woolley and Greg and I have been working on my art studio remodel. I’m excited to say it’s almost done. I loved my old studio and this one is similar and about the same size. Both are sheds turned into an art studio. More Work to Do We still need to paint the outside of it and put some molding around the floor but then I can start moving stuff in! I can’t wait to start…

I TAKE A MOMENT to stretch to relieve the stress in my shoulders I AM GRATEFUL to be spending time in Todos Santos, Baja, Mexico I AM FEELING full from a healthy dinner I CAN SEE I’m staying up to late and should go to bed earlier I AM HEARING Bonnie Raitt on Spotify I AM CREATING a painting with two whales, a palm tree and the sea I AM MISSING having close friends near by to visit with I…

This truck is like a tank. It’s the hardiest vehicle I’ve ridden in. It’s our 1964 CL1100 Harvester International pickup. I’ve been thinking of putting one in a painting. I’ve used other vintage vehicles in some of my paintings and this truck has been calling me. This truck originally belonged to my late husband, Peter. The first time I rode in it I felt like I was in a tank because it’s so sturdy! It has 4 wheel drive and…

The other night when we were sitting and watching the sunset I realized where my moody black clouds come from in my work. I had never really thought about it before but there they were. The clouds that offered this inspiration. And here is an example of them in my art. I’ve always said nature inspires me and here is the perfect example! This cowboy print inspired by Darryl Purpose’s music is for sale in my Etsy Shop> Hope you…

Flora Bowley, artist extraordinaire, wrote in her email newsletter “Need a (free) Creative Kick in the Pants? Join Me for the Creative Revolution Challenge in September!” I said YES! I do need some inspiration! So I headed on over to Flora’s website and downloaded her free Creative Revolution Challenge for September. I’ll be doing the challenge starting September 1st. If you do too, use the hashtag #creativerevolutionchallenge when you make a post. “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated…

Mother’s Day is almost here! Does your Mama love art? I know you’ve got a wonderful Mom that deserves something really special for being the terrific person that she is. Someone who has made a big impact on your life, so I’ve got some great gift ideas for you! I bet she’d love some new, colorful artwork to decorate her home or office, so I’ve rounded up the best Mother’s Day Art Prints that will make it easy for you…

Art touches the soul and deepens the spirit and here are 30 reasons why we need art in our lives. 1. Art helps us feel emotion. 2. Art makes us feel alive. 3. Art can adorn our bodies and make us feel beautiful, peaceful, independent, playful, a rebel (you choose the noun/adjective/verb). 4. Art can take us to another world like a dream can. 5. Art can make us forget our troubles. “Art is not a thing, it is a…

This is sort of a take off on 100 Things About Me. This time I did 100 Things My Heart Loves. It’s a good way to feel grateful for the things you love. Here are some of mine: 100 Things My Heart Loves 1. Ancient Tapestries 2. Petroglyphs 3. Lavender Oil 4. A sliver of moon 5. Spending time in my art studio painting 6. Sand Dollars 7. The smell of a puppy 8. Daisy Chains 9. Vivid Color 10.…

This is post 7 in my 10 post blog series on Beth Kempton’s PDF titled “Zen and the Art of Doing what you Love.” You can check back here to see 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, and the first post here. The Steps and journal prompts are taken from the PDF. STEP 7: WALK (BAREFOOT) Journal prompts: What big things have you achieved in your life so far? (Big thing = something you are proud of, not necessarily to do with…

I first saw the colorful paintings of Susan Medyn when she emailed me about being on the Whimsicalpaintings.com website. I was instantly taken by her unique paintings brimming with imaginary animals lounging or romping in festive landscapes of pattern and color! Each painting seems to tell a story about the relationships of the animals to their surroundings. I love how they draw me in and make me look for the details such as the little birds in the trees or…

I am doing a 10 day blog series on Beth Kempton’s PDF download titled Zen and the Art of Doing what you Love.” This is Day 5. Beth says, it “is a simple 10-step guide to help you be more present, get quiet and focus. It will help you see more beauty. It will let you travel lighter. And it will get you on the road to doing what you love, for life.” Courage Along the Path by Lindy Gaskill…

I am doing a 10 day blog series on Beth Kempton’s PDF download titled Zen and the Art of Doing what you Love.” This is Day 4. Beth says, it “is a simple 10-step guide to help you be more present, get quiet and focus. It will help you see more beauty. It will let you travel lighter. And it will get you on the road to doing what you love, for life.” Step 4: OPEN YOUR EYES…

I am doing a 10 day blog series on Beth Kempton’s PDF download titled Zen and the Art of Doing what you Love.” This is Day 3. Beth says, it “is a simple 10-step guide to help you be more present, get quiet and focus. It will help you see more beauty. It will let you travel lighter. And it will get you on the road to doing what you love, for life.” Step 3: CLOSE YOUR EYES Journal prompt:…

I am doing a 10 day blog series on Beth Kempton’s PDF download titled Zen and the Art of Doing what you Love.” Beth says, it “is a simple 10-step guide to help you be more present, get quiet and focus. It will help you see more beauty. It will let you travel lighter. And it will get you on the road to doing what you love, for life.” Step 2: MAKE SPACE AND SIMPLIFY Journal prompt: Where does your…

Inspiration and Dedication Every artist finds inspiration in a different way. For some, their creativity is as essential as breathing. It is an absolute necessity to life and frequently an unconscious but burning desire, part of their psyche and their persona. But this creativity simply has to be expressed and they come to know this yearning and hunger early on in life. Theirs is a gift that brings great joy and also a deeper understanding of the world around them.…

I believe in art and healing. They go hand in hand as far as I’m concerned. From way back, I’ve felt that art had healing powers. It is why when I was in my late 30’s I decided to go back to school to become an art therapist (that’s another story). Although I didn’t become an “actual” art therapist, I’ve used art as a tool for my own healing and I’ve seen it help others lives as well. And with…

I AM GRATEFUL that we finished painting the outside of our house I AM FEELING like I need to drink more water I CAN SEE clouds covering the sky I AM HEARING my doggies heavy sigh as she naps I AM CREATING a large abstract painting I AM MISSING calm days without the wind howling I AM HOPING to paint most of the day in the studio I AM PLANNING to work in the yard this weekend I AM READING…

I AM GRATEFUL for fresh air and blue sky I AM FEELING glad it’s Friday I CAN SEE the wind rustling through the trees I AM HEARING Greg shoveling dirt in the backyard I AM CREATING a painting with two ravens reflecting I AM MISSING the ingredients to bake peach cobbler I AM HOPING to get to the store soon I AM PLANNING to have a root beer float later tonight I AM READING Walking in This World The Practical…

Two years ago for my birthday Greg gave me this beautiful orchid. I’d never owned an orchid before. I fell in love with it. It lasted a number of months and then the blooms faded away and only the leaves were left. I cared for it and watered it once a week. Being sure to use ice cubes as the instructions said. I gave it plant food. I watched over it diligently and wondered when it would bloom again. Over…

What fuels your creativity? For me, it is nature, pattern, texture, color, swirling lines, symbolism, contrast, duality, energy, animals, flowers, forests, mountains, peacefulness, play, joy and….my list could go on and on. This is my Secret to Life as an Artist series and one principal to live by is “be inspired .” Fuel your creativity with this inspiration. We are all creative beings. We are all artists! Be inspired everyday. Here’s a little creative wording to remind you about fueling…

“My tapestry would be draped on the wall of an ancient castle; it would have been started long, long ago and it has recently been discovered unfinished. It is a celebration of my life, my past lives, my dreams, insights and experiences…” – Polly